The day of my discharge is gray and drizzling. I’m standing by the window when Julian enters. "The car is waiting downstairs," he says. "You’re coming with me where I can watch you."

"Why? So you can keep punishing me for a crime you don't even understand?"

Julian crosses the room. "I want to know why. How you could kiss me like I was your entire world, and then vanish."

"My father," I whisper. I tell him the truth. How my father threatened to destroy Julian's career with doctored files if I didn't leave. "I left because I loved you enough to let you be the legend you were born to be. I watched you from the shadows for five years."

Julian is silent. "You left... to save my career?"

"I thought if I stayed away, at least you’d have your dream."

"You fool," he groans, his forehead crashing against mine. "Did you really think a chief's title mattered more to me than you? I would have given up the scalpel in a heartbeat if it meant I got to keep you."

"I’m done playing by everyone else’s rules," he promises. And then he kisses me. It’s not a gentle kiss. It’s a collision. It tastes like salt and sandalwood and the promise of a future I thought was dead.

"You’re not going to a guest suite, Elara. You’re coming home. To my bed. And this time, I’m locking the doors." He only looks at me as we leave. The Ice King is dead. Long live the man who finally learned that the most important heart he’d ever hold... was mine.

💔 She gave up everything to protect him. What do you think of her father’s ultimate betrayal? Let us know in the comments! 💬 Tap ❤️ if you're glad the Ice King is finally gone! 🩺🔥 #RomanticAudioClub